Volume 43 Number 9 November 2011 Coming DOAS Fall Field Trips DOAS led two trips this fall to support the educational information from our monthly meetings. Following up with the September 16th excellent presentation on native plants Activities versus invasive species in New York State, the next weekend, on Saturday September 24th we built upon that educational base to visit the Mountain Top Arboretum, November located on route 23C and Maude Adams Road in Tannersville. This incredible preserve is situated 2400 feet above sea level, has three main areas to stroll through with Nov 18 — DOAS Program breathtaking Catskill Mountain views from every angle. December Dec 6 — DOAS Board Meeting Dec 17 — DOAS Christmas Bird Count Dec 30 — Fort Plain Christmas Bird Count January Jan 15 — NY State Ornithological Fir Trees, Mountain Top Arboretum, by Barbara Marsala Association Waterfowl Count The highlights of this field trip through the Western Meadows, were the rain garden Jan 17 — DOAS Board Meeting planted with acid loving shrubs, the conifers (52 species), native and non-native, Jan 20 — DOAS Program butterfly garden, and the show stopper, exposed Devonian era bedrock aged at Jan 21 — Annual Eagle Trip 375 million years old. Looking from this bedrock, to a wooded area beyond a small pond, we were treated to Dawn Redwoods, one of the most ancient trees still living on More information on page 7 earth, and were found 65 million years ago across the entire Northern Hemisphere. In close proximity, is bald cypress. The Eastern Meadow has a wetland, filled with native plants and shrubs to support a spring song bird population. All DOAS programs We are planning a trip back in the spring to view the exciting blooming of the area along are free and open with the return of our songbirds. to the public The October field trip to Montezuma which occurred on Saturday the 15th came ahead (continued on page 5) ♼ Printed on recycled paper ♼ November 2011 The Belted Kingfisher Volume 43 Number 9 President’s Message Chasing Energy and Conserving Nature The Delaware - OTsegO Ever since the first coal mine was dug in Wales and the first oil well drilled in auDubOn sOcieTy Pennsylvania, industrial societies have based their growth – and increasingly, their FOunDeD 1968 very existence – on fossil fuel energy. A reliable textbook of environmental science newsletter eDitor: reports that in 1970 fully 98% of energy production in the United States came from Helen McLean petroleum, natural gas and coal. I suspect that fossil fuels’ percentage of the total has not declined much in the past 40 years (even as total energy use has mushroomed), bOarD of Directors despite attempts to develop other energy sources and to encourage more energy- Co-Presidents Barbara Marsala, conserving vehicles and homes. Per capita energy consumption in America remains Andrew Mason, by far the highest in the world, even as rapidly growing populations in other Joe Richardson countries increasingly aspire to our own energy-guzzling lifestyle. Treasurer Bob Donnelly Secretary Eileen Kline Today almost every issue of the Oneonta Daily Star, or the New York Times, or Britain’s Guardian Weekly, brings news of controversies relating to energy’s Julia Gregory uncertain supply and insatiable demand: “Richfield Springs Wind Project Faces Eric Knight Resistance.” “Pro- and Anti-Fracking Candidates Woo Voters.” “Proposed Pipeline Bob Miller Linking Alberta Oil to Texas Refineries Worries Midwestern Farmers.” “Germany Eleanor Moriarty Abandons Nuclear Power Program in Wake of Japanese Near-Meltdown.” Energy Stephen Rice issues are on our plate NOW, and promise to be ever more pressing in the years Tom Salo ahead. And Washington fiddles while the world burns! Julie Smith Conservationists and environmental organizations should realize especially acutely cOmmittee chairs* anD the centrality and complexity of the energy stakes for both nature and society. OTher assignmenTs Weaning humanity from fossil fuels is crucial, but alternative energy sources often Conservation*: Andy Mason are problematic also. Consider wind energy, in many ways a benign source. But as Education*: Barbara Marsala the Richfield Springs headline suggests, wind farms often are unpopular with those Field Trips*: Bob Donnelly who live near them; moreover, as many DOAS members are aware, the big turbines Hawk Watch*: Andrew Mason of the Tug Hill wind farms east of Lake Ontario have proven lethal to bats and many Tom Salo migratory birds, raising fears of similar mortalities if wind towers are erected – as Hospitality*: vacant proposed – in the migration flyways of the golden eagles and other raptors we enjoy Membership*: Andy Mason at the Franklin Mountain Hawkwatch. DOAS therefore has urged caution and prior Programs*: Eleanor Moriarty research before windmills are erected - while at the same time opposing natural Publicity*: Eleanor Moriarty gas drilling in our state. Natural gas is potentially the “cleanest” and least climate- Sanctuary*: Andrew Mason influencing of fossil fuels to burn, but the deep hydrofracking technology needed Bird Counts: Bob Miller Charter Dinner: Julia Gregory to extract it from our Marcellus and Utica shales carries many environmental and Finance: Gray Mason human health risks that have not yet been sufficiently addressed. Energy choices Historian: Julie Smith seem hard today, but they will be harder in the uncertain future. As conservationists, Sales: Stephen Rice we must continue to make ourselves heard – and loudly. Here’s hoping we can agree on what to say! Joe Richardson aDDress cOrrespOnDence TO: Delaware Otsego Audubon Society P.O. Box 544 Oneonta, NY 13820 Email: [email protected] Web: www.doas.us To contribute notes or articles for The Belted Kingfisher please send to “Kingfisher Editor” at the above address, or email: Migrating Golden Eagle, by Dave Kiehm [email protected] 2 Volume 43 Number 9 The Belted Kingfisher November 2011 Conservation and Legislation Hydrofracking—still Number One—Time is running short What you can do—Make sure that at a minimum you submit on the public comment period for the pending environmental comments to DEC before December 12. (A link to all the impact statement and regulations on hydrofracked gas drilling documents is at www.dec.ny.gov). Even a one page list of your in New York State. The NYS Department of Environmental concerns can be effective. DOAS’ position is that this activity Conservation is accepting comments on this document until is fundamentally unsafe and environmentally unacceptable, December 12, and it is critically important that as many New regardless of regulations. You may want to take the same tack. Yorkers as possible make their voices heard. Some additional points to make: In addition, DEC has announced the schedule for public hearings • Wildlife is still at risk under the proposed regulations. There on the hydrofracking rules (see below). There no doubt will be a should be a clear and comprehensive ban on open storage strong showing of opposition, but it also can be anticipated that of any wastes resulting from drilling and fracking—no gas drilling companies will do all they can to pack the hearings exceptions. Also, a site specific assessment of the habitat with leaseholders and others who stand to profit from the impacts of every drilling location should be carried out by drilling pollution. independent agents paid for by the drillers, but hired and There is strong evidence that even with the strictest rules, overseen by DEC. hydrofracking poses significant dangers to ground water, • Drillers should not be permitted to take water from water including drinking water supplies—and also to surface bodies within the Marcellus and Utica shale areas. This area waters which will be used as withdrawal sites for the immense will be overburdened by withdrawals from the large scale quantities of fresh water required for this activity. In addition, operations envisioned. the regulations allow open pit storage of drilling wastes and • The prohibited distance for drilling should be increased to flowback fluids, posing a threat to birds and other wildlife. one mile from water bodies, aquifers, public water supplies, Drilling wastes and other materials such as pit liners can be and existing water wells and springs in order to protect these disposed of on site under DEC’s regulations. There are no extra waters and public health. safeguards for proper handling and disposal of radioactive wastes that are commonly found at drill sites. • There should be full disclosure to the public of all chemicals used in drilling and fracking prior to approval of a well. The regulations gloss over the threats to habitat including critical grassland and large forested areas from disturbance and • The environmental impact statement should consider the fragmentation by drilling construction and operations. DEC says long-term ramifications of fractured geology and remaining it will require additional review in very limited areas—carried chemicals and other materials left underground. out by the drillers--and that ‘mitigation’ will be permitted for If possible, try to attend and speak at one of the public hearings. damage to habitat. The closest to our area are November 17: The Forum Theatre, The rules continue to allow drilling companies to hide the 236 Washington St., Binghamton, NY; and November 29: chemicals used in fracking fluids from the public. The known Sullivan County Community College, Seelig Theatre, 112 College chemicals include carcinogens, diesel fuel and other toxic Rd., Loch Sheldrake, NY. Both will run from 1-4 and 6-9 PM. materials. In addition, the City of Oneonta and others have organized a There is no discussion or consideration of the long-term effects local opportunity for public comment at 7 PM on November 10 of leaving fractured geologic strata contaminated with fracking in the Hunt Union Ballroom at the State University College at fluids and solids to keep the fractures open. These will remain for Oneonta.